Lead

Michelle Park Steel, the new U.S. ambassador to South Korea, officially began her duties on Tuesday by submitting a copy of her credentials to the foreign ministry and paying a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, according to Yonhap News. The meeting marks the formal start of her role after she arrived in South Korea on the previous Thursday, becoming the second Korean American ambassador to serve in the post.

The foreign ministry said Cho and Steel would discuss measures to strengthen bilateral relations, as reported by Yonhap. Steel's arrival ends an 18-month vacancy in the ambassadorship, which had been empty since former Ambassador Philip Goldberg departed in January 2025.

Coverage Comparison

Yonhap News, a South Korean wire service, provided multiple reports on Steel's first days in office. A report dated August 4 detailed her submission of credentials and meeting with Cho, noting that she was accompanied by her husband, Shawn Steel, and did not respond to reporters' questions before entering the ministry building. Another August 4 report added comments from foreign ministry spokesperson Park Doo-soon, who said the ambassador is expected to draw on her understanding of the alliance to help strengthen ties between the two countries.

A separate report from August 3 quoted Cho as saying he expects Steel to play a key role in resolving pending issues, citing her "direct" access to Washington. Cho expressed hope that this direct line could be utilized to address difficult matters in bilateral relations.

A later report dated August 7 revealed that National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac met with Steel for the first time since she took office. The meeting, which occurred recently, likely included discussions of South Korea-U.S. relations, according to a government official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Key Claims

  • Steel submitted a copy of her credentials to the foreign ministry's chief of protocol, a preliminary step before the formal presentation ceremony with the head of state, as reported by Yonhap.
  • Her arrival ended an 18-month vacancy in the ambassadorship, following the departure of Ambassador Philip Goldberg, who served from July 2022 to January 2025, according to Yonhap.
  • Several issues are pending in Seoul-Washington relations, including tensions over South Korea's regulatory action against U.S.-listed Coupang following a massive data breach, Seoul's investment pledges in the U.S., and the South's push to build nuclear-powered submarines, as reported by Yonhap.
  • Foreign Minister Cho Hyun expects Steel to play a key role in resolving pending issues, citing her "direct" access to Washington, according to an interview with Yonhap News TV.
  • National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac met with Steel for the first time since she assumed her post, as reported by Yonhap. The two likely discussed bilateral relations, possibly including pending alliance issues related to South Korean investment commitments and matters involving Coupang, according to a government official.

Perspectives

South Korean Foreign Ministry: Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said he expects to have various consultations with the ambassador, leveraging her direct access to Washington to resolve difficult issues in the relationship. Spokesperson Park Doo-soon said the ambassador is expected to use her understanding of the alliance to strengthen ties and friendship between the two countries.

South Korean National Security Office: National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac met with Steel for the first time, discussing bilateral relations, possibly including pending alliance issues such as South Korean investment commitments and matters involving Coupang, as reported by a government official.